12 Mighty Orphans
Sports/Historical drama/Based on a True Story
118 minutes
Rated PG-13 2021
Streaming on YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
In the late 1930s, war hero Rusty Russell (Luke Wilson) leaves a privileged position and moves his family to Fort Worth to coach football and provide instruction to a group of orphans at the Masonic Home and School of Texas. He and his wife teach basic education while exposing the horrors of abuse by the “warden” who uses the orphans’ labor for his own profits. With the help of the school’s physician (Martin Sheen) Rusty fosters a football team, finds them shoes, uniforms, and equipment, all while inspiring these forgotten children who will become the Mighty Mites.
There are multiple heartbreaking setbacks before the team is accepted into the “Interscholastic League.”
They blitz the Texas Football Circuit and become the classic underdogs—all this during the Depression. Russell leads the scrawny team of only 12 players to the Football State Championship in 1938.
Rusty Russell continues his successful coaching career in high school and college football until his death in 1983. His legacy as the greatest coach in Texas lives on.
The star player of the Mighty Mites was Hardy Brown who went on to play for the NFL (San Francisco 49ers, 1951-55) and is still known as one of the toughest men in the game. Brown was marked by the NFL’s Top 10 as #5 on “The Most Feared Tacklers of All Time.”
This is an inspiring, heartfelt tale of the heroic efforts that changed lives and inspired a nation. Hope triumphs!
Magic Moon gives 12 Mighty Orphans 3 1/2 out of 5 Moons.
Two Hot Chocolate Recipes
Here are a couple of tried-and-true recipes from Gracie’s Recipe Vault to warm us up as the days grow shorter. Treat yourself to some tastiness.
Cafe Brûlot
This special recipe is adapted from the famous Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans. It was developed by the owner’s son in the 1800s. Originally called Cafe Brulot Diabolique, or “devilishly burned coffee,” it reflects the Carnivale spirit of The Big Easy.
In a heatproof 4-quart heavy saucepan, simmer 1/3 cup orange curaçao liqueur, 1/4 cup brandy, 10 whole cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange (quartered), and the peel of 1 lemon over medium high heat. When hot, turn off heat. Carefully ignite/flame mixture with a long handled lighter. Stir until the flames subside. Resume heat, stir in 3 cups of very strong hot coffee and 3 – 5 tablespoons sugar to taste. Strain into glass mugs or demitasse cups. Garnish with whipped cream and orange zest if desired. Perfect as an after-dinner drink. May substitute decaffeinated coffee. Serves 4 – 6. Lovely!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
In a medium sized saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in 2 cups whole milk, 2 cups half and half, 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
Place over medium heat and stir constantly until bubbles form around the edges. Be sure the mixture is hot, and chocolate is fully melted. Ladle into cups and top with your choice of whipped cream, shaved chocolate, marshmallows, crushed peppermint or whatever your heart desires. Serves 4.
Enjoy!
